How do birds make nests?

Birds. ... Most bird nests lie somewhere in the middle, with the majority building cup-shaped nests using some combination of mud, twigs and leaves, and feathers. Some birds, such flamingos and swifts, use saliva to help hold their nest together. The edible-nest swiftlet uses saliva alone to construct their nests. read more

Birds that build cup nests use a mixture of organic debris and saliva or mud to build bowl-shaped structures in trees, shrubs and beneath rocky outcroppings. According to the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology, cup nests are the preferred nest type for hummingbirds, swifts, flycatchers, blackbirds and other small birds. read more

Most birds build a new nest each year, though some refurbish their old nests. The large eyries (or aeries) of some eagles are platform nests that have been used and refurbished for several years. In most species, the female does most or all of the nest construction, though the male often helps. read more

Different birds make their nests using different materials. Some gather sticks, grass, and leaves, while others use tree branches, mud, stones, or even their own saliva. Many nests are made of any materials the bird can find. read more